Food, Farming and Festival Spirit Shine at The Great British Farm-Fest Finale

Sunshine and smiles have been the hallmark of The Great British Farm-Fest at NAEC Stoneleigh, as the gates closed for the final time on Sunday 24th May. The inaugural event welcomed more than 50,000 visitors across three days of farming, food and countryside entertainment, headlined by TV’s favourite farmer, Jeremy Clarkson.

Sunday delivered the ultimate foodie celebration, with the Field to Fork area, supported by Morrisons, showcasing the very best of British produce. With a bustling Cookery Theatre, vibrant Farmers Market and selection of carefully curated artisan stalls, giving visitors plenty to savour throughout the day.

Over the course of the weekend, the event brought together more than 400 exhibitors, thousands of animals and farming families from across the country to celebrate British agriculture, rural life and the people behind it.

In true British Sunday style, the festival’s final day focused on fantastic food and farming. Mike Wilkins kicked off Succulent Sunday with a cake baking demonstration, straight from the gingham islands of The Great British Bake Off. Throughout the day, visitors also had the opportunity to hear from TV chef Matt Tebbutt and Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, as they shared their passion for British produce and the importance of supporting British farming.

Matt Tebbutt commented, “By the very nature of the amazing turnout of this weekend, people care about the countryside; they care about farmers; they care about where their food has come from – and I think that is on the rise dramatically. If you like to go out into the countryside and see lambs and cows in fields, that beautiful, rural idyll, you need to be supporting British farmers.”

Festivalgoers gathered in their thousands throughout the day for appearances from Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland, Harriet Cowan and Adam Henson. Fans enjoyed live discussions, stories from the farming frontline and the unscripted moments that became synonymous with the Farm-Fest atmosphere.

Visitors explored the Festival’s expansive attractions, including machinery showcases, artisan food experiences, livestock displays, Farming Hero stories, supported by RABI the farmers charity and interactive countryside activities spread across 12 packed arenas and exhibition spaces.

As dusk fell, the final evening of celebrations got underway in the Hawkstone Music Arena. The ultimate country music tribute band, One Night in Nashville kicked off the festivities, getting the crowd ready to rock, before legendary 70s rock band 10cc blasted out their best hits, from I’m Not in Love to The Wall Street Shuffle.

21st Century rocker Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs), was next up with The Fabulous Adjustable Band. This mixed line-up saw Ricky joined by Chris Difford (Squeeze), Gary Stringer (Reef), Simon Fowler (Ocean Colour Scene), Natasha Hamilton (Atomic Kitten) and Garry Christian (The Christians), as they bought the house down. Closing the night was the incredible Alex James Britpop Classical, bringing the most unforgettable 90s hits to life, with the raw energy of a full orchestra, live band and special guests vocals (including Phil Daniels, voice of the one and only Park Life hit, Simon Fowler from Ocean Colour Scene and Saffron from Republica).

The Great British Farm-Fest combined the traditional spirit of a country fair with the scale and energy of a modern music festival, celebrating Britain’s farming community while introducing new audiences to the countryside and the importance of supporting British agriculture.